Muhammad Ali’s Daughter is Committed to Seeing Michigan Man Exonerated After Decades Behind Bars

Khaliah Ali. Photo courtesy of Khaliah Ali.

Khaliah Ali, daughter of the great boxing legend Muhammad Ali, has thrown her hat into the ring to fight for the exoneration of a Michigan man. Temujin Kensu, formerly Fredrick Freeman, has spent the last 37 years behind bars for a murder he swears he did not – could not have – committed.

Ali learned about Kensu’s case through her friend and partner, Jason Flom, about four months ago.  Flom is a music executive who helped launched the careers of Greta Van Fleet, Kid Rock, and Katy Perry. He is also a founding board member of the Innocence Project. “We’re working together on many of these cases,” Ali told me in an interview today.

Khaliah was drawn to Kensu’s plight after reviewing his case. “It was just the simple facts of the case and glaring evidence that was missing,” Ali said. “My heart and mind was sparked to become immersed and involved in many other cases beyond his, but his was the turning point for me because it was such a flagrant abuse of the law and justice. How could I ever turn my back?”

After phone conversations with Kensu and his wife, Paula, Ali vowed to meet Kensu in person before he turned sixty years old. Last week, Ali flew from New York to Michigan just in time – one day before his birthday. “I don’t think of Temujin as a case. I think of him as a friend and I think of his wife, Paula, as a friend,” Ali said.

Ali and Kensu visited for about two hours. “It was just an incredible experience. I’ve never had two hours pass faster. First of all, I just cried,” Ali said. “Temujin gives the greatest hugs ever and he’s such a peaceful, centered soul. And he’s brilliant. We spoke about everything ranging from world politics to acute medical vernacular to philosophy to just good old common sense and what’s right and wrong in this world.”

Ali’s time with Kensu cemented her belief he should be granted clemency. “It was very motivating. If I thought I was committed before – now I’m committed more than ever.”

Kensu has a brain tumor and several other serious health issues. “Temujin is not well. His health is failing. He’s not getting the vital care he needs. Things like chemotherapy. It’s really clear when you see Temujin, while he doesn’t look a day over 45, you see the effects of his illness. He has a cane. He’s not getting up with great ease. He’s kind of coughing. Temujin’s health is clearly going downhill and the diet they’re feeding him is just sealing the grave,” Ali said.

When Ali came to Michigan last week, she stayed with Kensu’s wife. “It was Temujin’s birthday wish. He didn’t want his wife to be alone. She had a lovely Airbnb and I camped out with her and her dogs for the night,” Ali said, laughing.

Ali’s father was also a humanitarian and civil rights activist. “I’m just so grateful that I’ve been gifted this opportunity to do this work. In many ways I see this as a continuum of work that he was doing before he passed,” Ali said.

For decades, Ali has been involved with many non-profits, but her passion for justice is palpable. “The work I’m doing with Jason Flom has just overtaken my life. We’re giving voices to the voiceless and we take nothing for granted.”

Michigan holds a special place in Ali’s heart. Her father had a farm in Berrien Springs. “I spent many summers on the farm, it was great. And then for me professionally, I was in fashion for over 25 years and had my own sewing patterns with Vogue, McCall’s, Butterick, and Simplicity. I made a lot of my fabrics out of Novi. I have a lot of ties to Michigan. I spent my childhood there off and on and professionally I have ties. But now, most importantly, I have Temujin.”

Ali urges those who want to join the fight to free Temujin Kensu to sign the petition and contact Governor Whitmer’s office and ask her to grant Kensu’s petition for executive clemency.

For background on Kensu’s case, you can start here.